Red Bay’s starting pitcher was knocked out of the game just a couple of batters in – but that didn’t stop an epic pitching duel with big area stakes on the line.

A win for Tharptown would force a three-way tie in the area among the Wildcats, Tigers and Colbert County. A win for Red Bay would win the area outright and earn the Tigers the right to host the area tournament next week.

In the end, the game went to the Lady Tigers, but it was by no means a given at the outset.

Three batters into the game, Red Bay starting pitcher Chloe Knoblock took a line drive by Leslie Staggs off her left foot. Staggs made it to first base; Knoblock limped to the dugout in serious pain.

Into the circle came Britley Hardin to replace Knoblock. Hardin not only got the Tigers out the inning unscathed, she pitched a spectacular game, shutting out the Wildcats. She allowed two hits and struck out eight, helping Red Bay beat Tharptown 2-0.

Lost in the performance by Hardin was an equally well-pitched gem by Tharptown senior Taylor Cameron.  Cameron allowed no earned runs and two hits and struck out nine batters. Cameron walked seven.

Red Bay broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning when Emma McCollister made it home on a passed ball. The Tigers added an insurance run in the top of the seventh when Hannah Butler also scored on a passed ball.

Red Bay will host the area tournament May 2-3.

Vina 12, Phillips 2

The Vina Red Devils have been on a hot streak of late. The latest win for the Red Devils came this past week, when they run-ruled the Phillips Bears 12-2.

Vina scored 12 runs on 10 hits. The Red Devil girls were also aided by 10 errors by the Bears.

Vina scored one run in the first, two in the second, four in the third, two in the fifth and three in the sixth.

Kaitlyn Athey went the distance in the circle, allowing two hits and striking out five.

Sara Harper led at the plate with two hits, including a triple and an RBI, and scored four runs. Aimee Shotts had two hits, including a double, and scored two runs. K.K. Mitchell had two hits and an RBI and scored three runs.